Review: Woodstone Pizza, Haarlem, Netherlands

Gluten-free pizza availability has become one of my main criteria for a town that I intend to live in. You guys know I’m a pizza fiend. So upon researching gluten-free food ahead of our move to Haarlem, I was extremely pleased to discover Woodstone Pizza, which sits a shortish walk from the train station. (Which itself is a 15 minute trip from Amsterdam)

When we went there on Friday, the place was packed by 7:30pm, and we had to put our names on a list and find somewhere to have a drink for 20 minutes (they don’t take reservations for less than 6 people). But once we were seated service was efficient and friendly, although every new waiter and waitress got momentarily confused when we replied in English.

We asked for the English menu and it was presented on a tablet:

They mark gluten-free options with a “G” next to the menu item, but there weren’t too many gluten-free options except for the pizzas. You can have any topping you like on a gluten-free base for €2 extra.

The gluten-free pizzas are cooked in a separate oven to avoid cross-contamination. Their website suggested to give them some advance warning, but when we phoned up and tried to warn them they didn’t seem that bothered about it. I had no problems ordering the base, and it didn’t seem to take a long time, so I can only presume they stock plenty.

My only slight issue was when I asked about what toppings I can have I was told “any, as long as they are gluten-free”, as if that should be self-evident to me. They were so busy I didn’t really want to push my luck by asking for a rundown of each ingredient so I used my better judgement.

They have a lot of weird and wonderful toppings, but I played it safe and went for the Americano: pepperoni, onion rings, peppers, mozzarella, garlic and jalepenos. I briefly wondered whether the “onion rings” would come out as the battered sort, but then I told myself to stop being so silly. I needn’t have worried.

The toppings were really fantastic – fresh, crunchy veg, juicy meat, tasty cheese, nicely flavoured by garlic and chilli. The base I would describe as fine. It was a little like a corn tortilla, and it didn’t really try to have any dough-like properties, but when combined with the gorgeous toppings, you didn’t really notice it that much.

Mmm…

I would definitely come back here (potentially over and over…) but I think I might try to come on a quieter day when I can quiz them more about their toppings.

For dessert, their gluten-free option was a “dolcetti” – a mini chocolate & hazelnut brownie with a coffee or tea of your choice. Since I was feeling like I should be a bit more “continental” I went for an espresso, which believe it or not, was my first ever coffee.

The brownie wasn’t really that cakey – it was more like a chocolate truffle interspersed with nuts. It went really well with the coffee though!

I probably wouldn’t have the brownie on its own, but I liked the chocolatey addition to the bitter coffee. I’d prefer fewer nuts in it.

All in all, it was a great dining experience (and the wine I had was great, too). It seems incredibly popular with locals, which is always a good sign. I’d recommend quizzing them more on the toppings as there were a couple that could have possibly contained gluten (marinated chicken, some of the sausages and dressings), which I’d like to try if I am able to. The quality of the food and drink overall was great and the service was very friendly and efficient. All spoke English to a high standard. Definitely worth a day trip from Amsterdam.